Benziger 2005 Tribute
A while ago I attended a wine tasting featuring Benziger Wines hosted by my favorite wine shop, Stew Leonard’s Wines. Kathy Benziger poured some of her Family’s wines. They were outstanding, but let me tell you something about the Benziger Winery. To begin with, Benziger’s entire portfolio of wine is certified sustainable, organic or Biodynamic. Not because they want to be known as “the green winery,” but because their experience has shown that great wine has green values, good for the earth and the vine, good for the farm worker and the farmer, and good for the customers. Benziger has been growing grapes on Sonoma Mountain for close to thirty years. Mike and his wife Mary discovered this vineyard in the late seventies and purchased the property with the help of parents Bruno and Helen. It was a family affair when brothers Joe, Bob and Jerry joined the business, followed by sister Patsy and her husband Tim. Kathy came along with her parents and spent high school years as a New York transplant in a Sonoma vineyard. Kathy was kind enough to take a photo with me at the tasting.
Although Kathy poured the 2007 Tribute, I had a 2005 in my cellar which I finally opened (I had the yearning for something special). The 2005 Tribute is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Cabernet Franc (19%), Merlot (3%) and Petit Verdot (3%). Pouring a glass I noticed a dark Ruby red color with aromas of intense berries and sweet earthy spices. The palate showed ripe blackberries and black cherries with generous minerality and soft refined tannins. The finish showed great length, was well balanced with moderate acidity and finished with some cacao and cinnamon tones. If you are lucky enough to have a 2005 (only 2198 cases were made), drink up as I think it will not get any better with time. I will open my signed 2007 Tribute soon and report.
Cheers!